Forwardontics and orthopedics

Forwardontics and orthopedics: The critical differences

Patients often confuse Forwardontics and dental orthopedics, in part because both emphasize early treatment, but the differences between the two techniques are significant, as are their treatment results. For example, expanding devices for the upper jaw in orthopedics and Forwardontics look similar, but the effects are quite different. Forwardontic expansion is typically more effective and more stable over the long term because of the growth-guiding and behavior modification component of Forwardontics.

In curing malocclusion, the upper jaw almost always needs to be encouraged to move forward, and that is the foundation of Forwardontics. The upper jaw is considered by too many orthodontists to be fixed, which it certainly is not. The upper jaw’s mobility is demonstrated, among other ways, by the very “success” of dental orthopedics in moving it back. Forwardontics focuses on starting treatment in the first decade of life and on widening the upper jaw while moving it up (shrinking the distance between the upper lip and nose) and forward. If the patient maintains proper oral posture, that change will be permanent.

Forwardontics is a descriptive term for the general public and includes all treatments that focus on forward development of teeth and jaws in both children and adults.